Withered - Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Chaeyoung couldn't concentrate on his class, his mind going over and over the same thoughts and worries, leaving little headspace for him to focus clearly. He has his eyes wandering outside the window the whole time. When it's break time, instead of going to the cafeteria, he heads to the top floor of the campus building and escapes to the rooftop. For a moment, he stands there, inhaling the scent of the city. There is a cold wind blowing and a bit of rain on the air, but Chaeyoung doesn't care.
He stays there for his entire classes then leaves the college after clearing his mind. Since the sun hasn't yet poked above the horizon at noon, he decides to meet someone precious and buys groceries for the person. He is seeking encouragement to take one leap.
When Chaeyoung arrives at the old and cosy restaurant, he sees her. Wearing an old, floral dress that goes up to her knees. Her hair, which is like a web of silver yarn, encased her head. Her face wrinkled, but the lines on her face made her look sweet. Chaeyoung moves closer and greeted by a hug from the old lady. Something about her made him feel at home.
As what he thought, Nana first question his casted arms and he successfully makes a lame excuse then receive a continuous nag from the old lady. He sighs when Nana is done and time to time remind him to be careful not to trip anymore.
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"Are you here to deliver good news?" Nana smiles as she serves his orders and sits in front of him. It saddens Chaeyoung to think about telling the truth to Nana, for what had happened to them---Mina, him, and his mistakes. That he already ruin everything including the love of his life.
"Just....the same" He mumbles, guilty for choosing to keep the horrific event a secret. Nana hums as a reply and they fall into silence. He starts eating while Nana puts a dish on top of his spoon to be eaten with rice and keep telling him to eat more. Chaeyoung smiles and thanking the old woman for treating him like her own son.
"There's always that chance, isn't there? That slim chance." She begins. Her soothing voice hasn't changed.
Chaeyoung stops and picks his gaze from the food to Nana. He looks at her and slowly nods in agreement, putting the utensils down. Nana smiles, and hold his hands that rest on the table.
"Then go for it"
He lowers his head, If only you knew. He thought. Chaeyoung bites his lips and stares at Nana. The old lady is always a gentle and a soft-spoken person, a listener to him, a comforter and most importantly a mother. He is certain that Nana will be very disappointed at him and might kick him from the restaurant, but that isn't the reason she keeps the incident a secret from Nana, it's because of he doesn't want Nana to be worried.
The meeting with Nana ends with a warm hug from the old lady. And though he keeps heartening her to live with him in the city, Nana refuses and wanted to spend the rest of her life in the small village. Chaeyoung doesn't against it, but he is not hesitant to force her if it comes to her health care since there are a more medical institution and opportunities in the city. Nana just laughs at the younger persistence and promise him to take care of herself.
Chaeyoung asks for another hug before he leaves, smiling happily at Nana while waving his hand. As soon as he turns around, his smile drops as he walks along the ground road with his hands inside his pocket.
Nana watches him struggling to pulls himself to stand due to the invisible weight on his shoulder. After all, the old lady can see behind those masked smile of him.
"I see, what goes around comes around. It must be hard for both of you....I know"
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Chaeyoung's eyes caught a bookstore as he rides a bus, he immediately gets off the public transport and roams around the shop. It's over three floors and is full of a tiny room. He keeps wandering until he sees a baby's section book. In an instant, a light of joy creep inside him and soon fill his heart. The guy explores all of the selves, examining it---finding it amusing how he enjoyed a classic tale and a picture book. He ends up buying twelve books from Dr Seuss so he can read it to their unborn child and some classic novel for Mina.
He's almost running home when he realizes the time but a buzzing sound stops him---a message from Irene stating that Mina went out with her sister. Chaeyoung sigh and saunter to the park, thinking he still has spare time. He settles down under a tree to cover him from the sun. He sits on the ground, back against the trunk as he searches for a colourful book inside his shoulder bags. Chaeyoung wears his glasses and starts writing while using his lap as support.
Hi! my daughter haha. Hmm, dad actually alone right now because mom is meeting your aunt. So, dad is a bit lonely haha. Today, dad bought some books for you hmmm you must be shared the same hobby with your mom right? You know, she's a bookworm hahaha. By the way....dad can't wait to see you and show you the world. It's a really beautiful place...and a bit dangerous haha, but don't worry dad will always protect you from any harm..same goes to your mom. I love you, my daughter...
He smiles as he stops writing. He closes his pens and takes out a colour pencil and marker for decoration, adding a small drawing as he lets his left hand dancing on the book. Though he gets through difficulty, he keeps going until his drawing is acceptable based on his point of view.
When he finally satisfied with his work, Chaeyoung stands and pack his things. He first meets his personal doctor to remove the cast. It's a relief to him that he can finally move his right arms and it can function properly. After the meeting, he doesn't forget to buys a bouquet of red roses and a box of chocolate before he goes straight home.
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The sisters spend some time at their parent's house, visiting them and decide to go home when it's already seven o'clock in the evening.
Mina caresses the small amulet on her bracelet. The red strings perfectly wrap around her wrist, she stares at it along the ride to her house. A tear escaped her eyes but she quickly wipes it off, sighing as she leans back and closes her eyes- trying her best to sleep on whatever feeling she's having.
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As soon as Sana stop the car, Mina wakes up. Well, she never actually asleep, her mind is still thinking, her ear is still listening, the one that changed is her vision is no more than darkness and her emotion has calm down.
Sana hugs the younger and pats her head as they bid goodbye. They exchange a faint smile before Mina hops off the car, she waves her hand as she watches Sana drives away. When the car out of her sight, she turns around to walk inside her house but stops as she catches a figure standing behind a glass window beside the main door. It reveals Chaeyoung with his pinkies apron and left hand holding a ladle---peeking outside. Half of his body covered by the curtain and when their eyes meet, the cub blush and quickly run away disappearing to the house.
Mina involuntarily smiles, shaking her head as she makes her way.
Cutie. She thought.
Once she closes the door behind her, Mina is greeted by the younger smiling sheepishly while both his hand occupied by a box of chocolate and a bouquet of flower on each side. He looks away, embarrassed for what just happened earlier. The girl walks closer to him, smiling as she stares at the guy.
"I see your hand is healed already"
Chaeyoung raises his head and looks at her, nodding as the answer to her statement. "Is this for me?" Mina asks, referring to the items he's holding. Though she knows, well obviously it's for her who else it would be? But the girl just feels to tease him.
Chaeyoung once again nods. Mina smiles and takes the melting chocolate ball, tasting it. She hums, narrowing her eyes, wanting to lie and tell him that the taste is bad but she has no heart to do so when Chaeyoung look at her with those puppy eyes. She let out a small laugh and take another.
"Ahhhhh" Mina opens her mouth and the guy getting the idea follows. She feeds him, smiling all the way. Chaeyoung munch it and is taken aback at how delicious it is. Worth buying. He thought. "It tasty though?" He wonders.
"Did I say anything" Mina replies, smirking at him. She takes the flower and excuses herself to change and arrange the flower inside her bedroom. Before she heads upstairs, she tightens her grip on the strap of her shoulder purse then turn her heels.
"Thank you," She says softly and smiles at him. Chaeyoung just bites his lips and nods for the nth time, jumping a bit when the girl no longer there, a broad smile form on his face.
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They sit across each other in the dining table, they never really talk much when eating so the silence that engulfed between them is not uncomfortable but warm. When they finish, the younger successfully convince Mina to let him wash the dishes while insisting the girl to take some rest.
Mina won't let herself leaving the guy alone in the kitchen, she waits for him. Staring at his back view while sitting on the chair, palm supporting her chin.
"Isn't it pretty obvious. The answer is there why avoiding it and ask me the reason?"
"Mina, do you really know him despite being friends for years. You said he changed but what if the one that you see now is the true him? I don't have a place to say anything more but, he'll tell you. Just wait for him"
Mina sigh silently, reminiscing Sana's last words. It's true that she suspects him harming himself but she doesn't want to accept it. She stands when Chaeyoung takes off his gloves and jolts when she suddenly behind him. He asks if the girl needs anything but receive no answer, starting to get nervous when Mina just eyeing him wordlessly.
She closes the distance then wraps her arms around him. Chaeyoung stop moving, his muscle becomes tense as his hands still lock hanging in the air.
"M-mina--"
"Hug time"
He looks down to sees her face but the girl hides her own as she faced the side, head on his chest. Chaeyoung worriedly reciprocates the hug, anxious that Sana might tell the girl his secret. Mina shut her eyes, there's something so warm, something that feels right smells right. He gives her the respect of an equal but cradles her like a cherished child. She feels him brushing her hair back with his artistic fingers and kiss her crown gently.
"Why do you..hurt yourself?..." She whispers with silent sobs. "Please don't..don't do it anymore or I'll kill you"
Chaeyoung holds her tighter and rubs her arms. Smiling when he heard the last audible murmurs of hers. He's in awe how Mina's emotion can drastically change in time to time continuing to surprise him.
"Alright ma'am...ouch!" Mina bites his torso and glared at him, it's strong enough to leave a mark while the guy just let out a small laugh. He wipes her tears then pulls her back to his embrace.
"I already take a leave of absence at the college. Let's have a vacation" Chaeyoung says.
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It's seven in the morning the cub slowly rolls over the bed and get off. He sits on the floor and peeks---where Mina still in dreamland hugging Snowball. He squats walking like a duck so he wouldn't get caught as the girl is really sensitive to noise. Luck is never on his side when his pinky toes hit the edge of the bed, grinding his teeth in a silent scream. He lay on his stomach but accidentally bump his head at their luggage for their flight today to Jeju Island.
Chaeyoung just sighs and crawl to the door. Blowing his feet as he closes the door then goes downstairs.
"It must be here now"
He excitedly jumps and swings his hand as he makes a beeline to their front door waiting for someone. A few moments later, a man shows up, greet him and hands a box. Chaeyoung signs all the required paper and thanks the delivery man. It takes longer than he expected for the things to arrive but excuses it since it's a custom-designed.
He looks down at the box and opens it, revealing another small item.
A dark blue velvet ring box.